AGA Report No.

9
Measurement of Gas by Multipath
Ultrasonic Meters
Second Edition
April 2007

AGA Report No. 9

Measurement of Gas by Multipath
Ultrasonic Meters
Second Edition
April 2007

Transmission Measurement Committee

Copyright 2007, Operating Section, American Gas Association

400 North Capitol Street, NW, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20001, U.S.A.
Phone: (202) 824-7000 Fax: (202) 824-7082 Web: www.aga.org

Catalog # XQ0701

DISCLAIMERS AND COPYRIGHT

The American Gas Associations (AGA) Operating Section provides a forum for industry experts to bring
collective knowledge together to improve the state of the art in the areas of operating, engineering and
technological aspects of producing, gathering, transporting, storing, distributing, measuring and utilizing
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This report is the cumulative result of years of experience of many individuals and organizations
acquainted with the measurement of natural gas. However, changes to this report may become necessary
from time to time. If changes to this report are believed appropriate by any manufacturer, individual or
organization, such suggested changes should be communicated to AGA by completing the last page of
this report titled, Form for Proposal on AGA Report No. 9 and sending it to: Operations &
Engineering Services Group, American Gas Association, 400 North Capitol Street, NW, 4th Floor,
Washington, DC 20001, U.S.A.
Copyright 2007, American Gas Association, All Rights Reserved.

FOREWORD
This report is published in the form of a performance-based specification for multipath ultrasonic meters
for gas flow measurement. It is the result of a collaborative effort of users, meter manufacturers, flow
measurement research organizations and independent consultants forming Task Group R-9 of AGAs
Transmission Measurement Committee (TMC). In addition, comments to this report were made by the
Committee on Gas Flow Measurement (COGFM) of the American Petroleum Institute (API), Gas
Processors Association (GPA), International Standard Organizations ISO/TC 30/SC 5/WG 1, Pipeline
Research Council International (PRCI) and the committee members of International School of
Hydrocarbon Measurement (ISHM).
This version of AGA Report No. 9 is intended to supersede all prior versions of this document. However,
this document does not reference existing multipath ultrasonic meter installations. The decision to apply
this document to existing installations shall be at the discretion of the parties involved.
Research conducted in support of this report and cited herein has demonstrated that multipath ultrasonic
meters can accurately measure gas flow and, therefore, should be able to meet or exceed the requirements
specified in this report when calibrated and installed according to the recommendations contained herein.
Users should follow appropriate installation, use and maintenance of an ultrasonic meter as applicable in
each case.
Various combinations of upstream fittings, valves and lengths of straight pipe can produce profile
disturbances at the meter inlet that may result in flow-rate measurement errors. The amount of meter error
will depend on the magnitude of the inlet velocity profile distortion produced by the upstream piping
configuration and the meters ability to compensate for this distortion. Research results and flow-meter
calibration data have indicated that multipath ultrasonic flow meters can accurately measure gas flow rate
when installed with upstream piping lengths and/or flow conditioning systems sufficient to maintain the
integrity of the flow calibration. Other effects that may also result in flow-rate measurement errors for a
given installation include levels of pulsation, range of operating pressures and ambient temperature
conditions.
Flow-calibration guidelines are provided for occasions when a flow calibration is requested or required to
verify the meters accuracy or to apply a calibration factor to minimize the measurement uncertainty. (See
Report text and Appendix A)
Unlike most traditional gas meters, multipath ultrasonic meters inherently have an embedded
microprocessor system. Therefore, this report includes, by reference, a standardized set of international
testing specifications applicable to electronic gas meters. These tests, summarized in Appendix B, are
used to demonstrate the acceptable performance of the multipath ultrasonic meters electronic system
design under different influences and disturbances.
AGA Engineering Technical Note M-96-2-3, Ultrasonic Flow Measurement for Natural Gas
Applications, is included in Appendix C, as a source of background information on ultrasonic gas
metering. Contents of this technical note were based on the information available when the note was
written in March 1996. Therefore, in case of any conflict between the information in the main report and
the technical note (Appendix C), the content in the main report prevails.

ii

The flow meter and/or flow conditioner performance verification test found in Appendix D is intended to
provide a method by which an ultrasonic flow metering system can be shown to perform acceptably (i.e.,
within the performance specifications described in Sections 5.1, 5.1.1 and 5.1.2 of this document) under
varying test flow conditions.
An example of overall measurement uncertainty calculations is provided in Appendix E with assumed
numerical values for estimating measurement uncertainty for sites using ultrasonic gas flow meters.

iii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
AGA Report No. 9, Measurement of Gas by Multipath Ultrasonic Meters, was revised by a Task Group
of the American Gas Associations Transmission Measurement Committee under the joint chairmanship
of Paul LaNasa of CPL & Associates and Warren Peterson of TransCanada Corporation. Individuals
who made substantial contributions to the revision of this document are:
Jim Bowen, formerly of Instromet, Inc.
Ed Bowles, Southwest Research Institute
Joe Bronner, Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Larry Fraser, Fraser & Associates
Garnet Grudeski, TransCanada Calibrations
John Lansing, Sick - Maihak
Dan Rebman, Columbia Gulf Transmission Co.
Jim Witte, El Paso Pipeline Group
Other individuals who contributed to the revision of the document are:
Frank Brown, Consultant
Cary Carter, Texas Gas Transmission
Claire Becker-Castle, Sempra Utilities
Craig Chester, Williams Gas Pipeline
Joel Clancy, CEESI
Peter Espina, Controlotron Corporation
Angela Floyd, Panhandle Energy
Bill Frasier, Northern Border Pipeline
Robert Fritz, Lone Star Measurement
Jim Griffeth, Bristol Babcock, Inc.
Terrence Grimley, Southwest Research Institute
Danny Harris, Columbia Gas
Zaki Husain, Chevron Texaco
Mark Imboden, Controlotron Corporation
Jim Keating, Consultant
Allen Knack, Consumers Energy
Rick Ledesma, El Paso Pipeline Group
Brad Massey, Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline
George Mattingly, Consultant
Dannie Mercer, Atmos Energy
Kevin Moir, DTE Energy
Dr. Thomas Morrow, Southwest Research Institute
John Naber, Emerson Process Management, Daniel Div.
Dan Peace, Sensus Metering Systems
Mark Pelkey, National Fuel Gas
Thanh Phan, Duke Energy
Reese Platzer, Questar Pipeline
Alex Podgers, American Meter Co.
Hank Poellnitz, III, El Paso Pipeline Group
King Poon, Thermo Electron Corporation
James Robertson, Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
Blaine Sawchuk, Canada Pipeline Accessories
Mike Scelzo, GE Sensing
iv

Walt Seidl, CEESI

Tushar Shah, Eagle Research Corporation
Jerry Paul Smith, Consultant
Karl Stappert, Daniel M&C
John Stuart, Stuart Gas Measurement Consulting
Fred VanOrsdol, Southern Petroleum Laboratories
Kevin Warner, Instromet, Inc.
Wayne Wenger, Kinder Morgan
Klaus Zanker, Emerson Process Management, Daniel Div.
AGA acknowledges the contributions of the above individuals and thanks them for their time and effort in
getting this document revised.
Lori Traweek
Senior Vice President

Ali Quraishi
Staff Executive, Engineering Services Director

Table of Contents

1.

INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 1

1.1

Scope ............................................................................................................................................................. 1

1.2

Principle of Measurement........................................................................................................................... 1

2.

TERMINOLOGY, UNITS AND DEFINITIONS ........................................................ 2

2.1

Terminology ................................................................................................................................................. 2

2.2

Engineering Units ........................................................................................................................................ 2

2.3

Definitions .................................................................................................................................................... 3

3.

OPERATING CONDITIONS ................................................................................... 6

3.1

Gas Quality .................................................................................................................................................. 6

3.2

Pressures ...................................................................................................................................................... 6

3.3

Temperatures, Gas and Ambient ............................................................................................................... 6

3.4

Gas Flow Considerations ............................................................................................................................ 6

3.5

Upstream Piping and Flow Profiles ........................................................................................................... 7

3.6

Acoustic Noise .............................................................................................................................................. 7

4.

METER REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................................... 9

4.1

Codes and Regulations ................................................................................................................................ 9

4.2

Quality Assurance ....................................................................................................................................... 9

4.3 Meter Body................................................................................................................................................... 9

4.3.1
Maximum Operating Pressure ............................................................................................................... 9
4.3.2
Corrosion Resistance ............................................................................................................................. 9
4.3.3
Meter Body Lengths and Bores ............................................................................................................. 9
4.3.4
Ultrasonic Transducer Ports ................................................................................................................ 10
4.3.5
Pressure Tap ........................................................................................................................................ 10
4.3.6
Miscellaneous ...................................................................................................................................... 10
4.3.7
Meter Body Markings ......................................................................................................................... 11
4.4 Ultrasonic Transducers ............................................................................................................................. 11
4.4.1
Specifications ...................................................................................................................................... 11
4.4.2
Rate of Pressure Change...................................................................................................................... 11

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4.4.3
4.4.4

Exchange ..............................................................................................................................................11
Transducer Tests ..................................................................................................................................12

4.5 Electronics ..................................................................................................................................................12

4.5.1
General Requirements ..........................................................................................................................12
4.5.2
Output Signal Specifications ................................................................................................................12
4.5.3
Electrical Safety Design Requirements ................................................................................................13
4.5.4
Component Replacement .....................................................................................................................13
4.6 Computer Programs ..................................................................................................................................13
4.6.1
Firmware ..............................................................................................................................................13
4.6.2
Configuration and Maintenance Software ...........................................................................................14
4.6.3
Inspection and Auditing Functions ......................................................................................................14
4.6.4
Alarms ..................................................................................................................................................14
4.6.5
Diagnostic Measurements ....................................................................................................................14
4.7 Documentation ...........................................................................................................................................15
4.7.1
After Receipt of Order .........................................................................................................................16
4.7.2
Before Shipment ..................................................................................................................................16

5.

METER PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS .......................................................17

5.1 General Meter Performance Requirements ............................................................................................17

5.1.1
Large Meter Accuracy .........................................................................................................................17
5.1.2
Small Meter Accuracy .........................................................................................................................18
5.2

6.

Pressure, Temperature and Gas Composition Influences ......................................................................19

INDIVIDUAL METER & METERING PACKAGE TESTING REQUIREMENTS....20

6.1

Leakage Tests .............................................................................................................................................20

6.2

Dimensional Measurements ......................................................................................................................20

6.3

Zero-Flow Verification Test (Zero Test) ..................................................................................................21

6.4 Meter and Metering Package Flow-Calibration Test .............................................................................21

6.4.1
Preparation for Flow Calibration .........................................................................................................22
6.4.2
Calibration of Metering Package .........................................................................................................23
6.4.3
Calibration Adjustment Factors ...........................................................................................................23
6.4.4
Calibration Test Reports ......................................................................................................................23
6.4.5
Final Considerations ............................................................................................................................24

7.

INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS ......................................................................25

7.1 Environmental Considerations .................................................................................................................25

7.1.1
Temperature .........................................................................................................................................25
7.1.2
Vibration ..............................................................................................................................................25
7.1.3
Electrical Noise ....................................................................................................................................25
7.1.4
Pulsation...............................................................................................................................................25

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7.2 Piping Configuration................................................................................................................................. 25

7.2.1
Flow Direction ..................................................................................................................................... 25
7.2.2
Piping Installations .............................................................................................................................. 25
7.2.3
Protrusions and Misalignments ........................................................................................................... 27
7.2.4
Internal Surface ................................................................................................................................... 28
7.2.5
Thermowells and Sample Probes ........................................................................................................ 28
7.2.6
Flow Conditioners ............................................................................................................................... 28
7.2.7
Orientation of Meter ............................................................................................................................ 28
7.2.8
Filtration .............................................................................................................................................. 28
7.2.9
Meter Tube Ports ................................................................................................................................. 29
7.3 Associated Flow Computer ....................................................................................................................... 29
7.3.1
Flow Computer Calculations ............................................................................................................... 29
7.4

Maintenance ............................................................................................................................................... 30

8.

FIELD VERIFICATION TESTS ............................................................................ 31

9.

ULTRASONIC METER MEASUREMENT UNCERTAINTY DETERMINATION .. 32

9.1

Types of Uncertainties............................................................................................................................... 32

9.2

Meter Calibration Uncertainty ................................................................................................................ 32

9.3 Uncertainties Arising From Differences Between the Field Installation and the Calibration Lab .... 32
9.3.1
Parallel Meter Runs ............................................................................................................................. 32
9.3.2
Installation Effects ............................................................................................................................... 32
9.3.3
Pressure and Temperature Effects ....................................................................................................... 33
9.3.4
Gas Quality Effects ............................................................................................................................. 33
9.4

Uncertainties Due to Secondary Instrumentation .................................................................................. 33

9.5

Uncertainty Analysis Procedure .............................................................................................................. 34

10. REFERENCE LIST ............................................................................................... 35

APPENDIX A: MULTIPATH ULTRASONIC METER FLOW-CLAIBRATION ISSUES. 39
A.1

Why Flow-Calibrate a Multipath Ultrasonic Meter? ........................................................................... 39

A.2

Methods for Correcting a UMs Flow-Measurement Error ................................................................. 41

A.3

Example of a Flow-Weighted Mean Error (FWME) Calculation........................................................ 41

APPENDIX B: ELECTRONICS DESIGN TESTING ..................................................... 45

B.1 Static Temperature, Dry Heat ..................................................................................................................... 45
B.2 Static Temperature, Cold............................................................................................................................. 45

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B.3 Damp Heat, Steady State ..............................................................................................................................45

B.4 Damp Heat, Cyclic ........................................................................................................................................46
B.5 Random Vibration ........................................................................................................................................46
B.6 Sinusoidal Vibration .....................................................................................................................................46
B.7 Mechanical Shock..........................................................................................................................................46
B.8 Power Voltage Variation ..............................................................................................................................46
B.9 Short Time Power Reduction .......................................................................................................................46
B.10 Bursts (Transients) ......................................................................................................................................47
B.11 Electrostatic Discharge ...............................................................................................................................47
B.12 Electromagnetic Susceptibility ...................................................................................................................47

APPENDIX C: ULTRASONIC FLOW MEASUREMENT FOR NATURAL GAS

APPLICATIONS ............................................................................................................49
C.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................50
C.1.1 Task Group Scope ....................................................................................................................................50
C.1.2 Engineering Technical Note Scope ..........................................................................................................50
C.2 Principle of Operation ..................................................................................................................................51
C.2.1 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................................51
C.2.2 Theory of Ultrasonic Flow Measurement ................................................................................................52
C.3 Technical Issues .............................................................................................................................................59
C.3.1 Speed of Sound in Natural Gas ................................................................................................................59
C.3.2 Installation Requirements .........................................................................................................................64
C.3.3 Meter Construction...................................................................................................................................67
C.3.4 Performance Characteristics .....................................................................................................................68
C.3.5 Field Checks .............................................................................................................................................70
C.4 Evaluation of Measurement Performance ..................................................................................................71
C.4.1 Signal Amplitude......................................................................................................................................72
C.4.2 Pulse Shape ..............................................................................................................................................72
C.4.3 Noise ........................................................................................................................................................73
C.4.4 Batch Diagnostics.....................................................................................................................................74
C.4.5 Diagnostic Message Block Example ........................................................................................................74
C.5 Error Analysis ...............................................................................................................................................77
C.5.1 Bias...........................................................................................................................................................77
C.5.2 Variance ...................................................................................................................................................79
C.6 Calibration .....................................................................................................................................................81
C.6.1 Dry Calibration.........................................................................................................................................81
C.6.2 Flow Calibration.......................................................................................................................................82
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C.6.3 Calibration Facilities ................................................................................................................................ 82

C.6.4 Transducer Replacement ......................................................................................................................... 82
C.7 Recommendations ........................................................................................................................................ 85
C.7.1 Industry .................................................................................................................................................... 85
C.7.2 Users ........................................................................................................................................................ 85
C.7.3 Manufacturers .......................................................................................................................................... 85
C.7.4 Researchers .............................................................................................................................................. 85
TABLE C1: Ultrasonic Meter Research Literature.......................................................................................... 87
TABLE C2: Ultrasonic Meter Research Activities ............................................................................................ 89
Appendix C References ......................................................................................................................................... 90

APPENDIX D: FLOW METER AND/OR FLOW CONDITIONER PERFORMANCE

VERIFICATION TEST ................................................................................................... 91
APPENDIX E: EXAMPLES OF OVERALL MEASUREMENT UNCERTAINTY
CALCULATIONS ULTRASONIC METER ................................................................ 93
E.1 General ........................................................................................................................................................... 93
E.2 The Mathematical Model .............................................................................................................................. 93
E.3 Contributory Variances ................................................................................................................................ 93
E.3.1 Uncertainty in the Uncorrected Volume Flowrate, Qf ............................................................................... 93
E.3.2 Uncertainty in the Measurement of Pressure ............................................................................................ 94
E.3.3 Uncertainty in the Measurement of Temperature ..................................................................................... 94
E.3.4 Uncertainty in the Determination of Compressibility ............................................................................... 94
E.4 Combined Uncertainty (percent).................................................................................................................. 95
E.5 Expanded Uncertainty .................................................................................................................................. 95

APPENDIX F: FORM FOR PROPOSALS ON AGA REPORT NO. 9 ........................... 97

1.

Introduction
1.1 Scope
This report was developed for multipath ultrasonic transit-time flow meters used for the measurement
of natural gas. Multipath ultrasonic meters have at least two independent pairs of measuring
transducers (acoustic paths). Typical applications include measuring the flow of gas through
production facilities, transmission pipelines, storage facilities, distribution systems and large end-use
customer meter sets.
1.2 Principle of Measurement
Multipath ultrasonic meters are inferential meters that derive the gas flow rate by measuring the
transit times of high-frequency sound pulses. Transit times are measured for sound pulses transmitted
and received between pairs of transducers positioned on or in the pipe. Pulses transmitted
downstream with the gas flow are accelerated by the flow and pulses transmitted upstream against the
gas flow along the identical acoustic path are decelerated. The difference in these transit times along
the acoustic paths is related to the average gas flow velocity. Numerical calculation techniques are
then used to compute the average axial gas flow velocity and the gas volume flow rate at line
conditions through the meter.
The accuracy of an ultrasonic gas meter depends on several factors, such as:
Precisely measured dimensions of the meter body and ultrasonic transducer locations
The velocity integration technique inherent in the design of the meter
The shape of the velocity profile at the meter
Levels of pulsation that may exist in the flowing gas stream
The accuracy of the transit-time measurements
Flow calibrations.
The accuracy of the transit-time measurement depends on:
The electronic clock accuracy and stability
Accurate, consistent detection of sound pulse transmit and receive times
Proper compensation for signal delays of electronic components and transducers
Dimensional integrity of the meter body.
Ultrasonic meter (UM) accuracy is dependent on these fundamental characterizations and their
continued integrity over time. These accuracy dependencies may be adversely influenced by
operational degradation of the UM over time (e.g., dirt build up on the internal surfaces of the meter,
electronics drift, etc.). Emphasis on UM diagnostic data collection and interpretation in this
document is made to impress upon users the need to continuously monitor UM integrity so that
accuracy is maintained.